It's For You

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Song facts

“It’s for You” is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles for Cilla Black for whom it was a UK Top Ten hit in 1964. The song was mainly a McCartney composition.

Paul McCartney, who had been present at Abbey Road Studios when Cilla Black had recorded her breakthrough hit “Anyone Who Had a Heart“, had written “It’s for You” with John Lennon using “Anyone Who Had a Heart” as the model although Black herself has opined: “For my money, [‘It’s for You’] is nothing like the ‘Anyone…’ composition.” On 3 June 1964 McCartney cut a demo of “It’s for You” to give to Black and producer George Martin. Black recorded the song at Abbey Road Studios that 2 July with Martin producing the session and she would recall: “That was some session…John [Lennon] and Paul [McCartney] joined me and George Martin. We made one track and then everyone had a go at suggesting how they thought it should be recorded. George said it should be one way, John and Paul another and I just added my suggestions while they were thinking of what else they could do with the composition.”

Having Black, well publicized as an associate of the Beatles, record a Lennon–McCartney tune did not result in the anticipated smash hit: “It’s for You” followed Black’s back-to-back #1 hits: “Anyone Who Had a Heart” and “You’re My World“, into the Top Ten but remained there for only two weeks – 29 August & 5 September 1964 – at #8 and #7.

In the US “It’s for You” became Black’s second single release in September 1964: although the precedent “You’re My World” had reached the US Top 30, “It’s for You” rose no higher on the Billboard Hot 100 than #79.

“It’s for You” reached #17 in Australia.

Although Black recorded several Beatles’ songs to be album cuts she only had one later single release of a Lennon–McCartney song: “Step Inside Love” #8 in 1968.

In September 2012, Paul McCartney may have recorded It’s For You, with Diana Krall, according to this site. This recording has remained unissued and hasn’t surfaced yet.

In 2016, a demo of It’s For You recorded by Paul McCartney in 1964 was found and sold for £18,000 at auction. From BBC.com, August 27, 2016:

McCartney recorded his own version earlier that year [1964], which was delivered to Black while she was performing at the London Palladium. It was believed to have been lost or destroyed until her nephew found it.

The disc fetched £18,000 at the Beatles Memorabilia Auction at Unity Theatre in Liverpool but with commission the unknown buyer will pay £21,060.

Simon White said he believed his paternal aunt – whose birth name was Priscilla White – gave the disc to his late father in the mid-60s. “My father was an avid record collector who took great care of his record collection, and he personally created the cardboard sleeve in which the acetate demo has been stored in his collection for more than 50 years.”

Mr White assumed the copy was of his aunt’s version and took it with other items to be valued at The Beatles Shop in Mathew Street, Liverpool. Stephen Bailey, who has managed the store for 31 years, said they played what they thought were 21 demo discs by Black.

“We got to the last one and, as soon as I heard it, I thought: ‘Oh God, that’s not Cilla Black, it’s Paul McCartney’.” “I was shaking with excitement and speechless.”

He added: “Apart from a few crackles, which you get with acetates, the quality is fine. It’s a wonderful recording. I can’t think of finding anything better unless I discover there is a sixth Beatle.”

Sir Paul was allowed to make a copy of his recording to add to his personal archive, Mr White said.

Last updated on August 29, 2016

Lyrics

I'd say someday I'm bound to give my heart away,
When I do - it's for you.
You love, true love seems to be all I'm thinking of,
But it's true, it's for you.

They said that love was a lie,
Told me that I should never try to find
Somebody who'd be kind,
Kind to only me.
So I just tell them they're right,
Who wants a fight?
Tell them I quite agree
Nobody'd love me.

And love comes, love shows, I give my heart and no one knows
That I do, it's for you, it's for you.

And love comes, love shows, I give my heart and no one knows
That I do, it's for you, it's for you.

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